One woman, who said her daughter had been bullied at the school, said: ‘She told me Michael was being picked on by a group of girls from year 8. It sounds like the teased him about his autism’, according to The Sun.

Megan Brandon said: ‘Bullies of St.Wilfrids C.O.E should feel ashamed 13years old 2nd year and taken his own life R.I.P Michael Raven never forgotten loved always.

The school’s principal, David Whyte, said that “the school was not made aware of any bullying concerns in relation to Michael.” He described Michael as “an avid reader” who “enjoyed playing chess and took part in every single house activity here at school”; Michael was indeed “doing really well in school.” Police have also said that there was “no indication at this stage ” that bullying was a factor, but that an investigation is continuing.

Besides the comments on Facebook, comments left on a Lancashire Telegraph article mention both bullying and autism in regard to Michael:

Gemvsshan says… (6:05pm Tue 29 Nov 11). I went to his school, he was in all my classes. I really understood what he was going through, since I myself have been bullied like that aswell. Everybody who’s ever said anything mean to him have been crying their eyes out today, they really have learnt a lesson. We’ve talked to each other before and he was a really nice, bright kid. He was always trying to smile. I just wish I talked to him about all his bullies before any of this happened. I also feel for all his family, because even my family was affected when I was being bullied, including stress and me being emotional all the time. But atleast nobody can harm him anymore.. RIP Michael! We will all miss you! xx

Gemvsshan says… (6:20pm Tue 29 Nov 11): … I go to his school. He told the head and the bullies got told off. But it doesn’t mean they would stop! What else can the school do? All the bullies were taken as far away from Michael as possible. I feel really sorry for Michael, since he got things thrown at him in sertain classes where the teacher couldn’t controll them all! I hope the bullies have atleast learnt from their actions and never do anything like it again. xx

mown43 says… (7:49pm Tue 29 Nov 11): This is the only comment I’m going to make ………. I know Michael and cried not just for him but also for his family…….I work at the ARC club…. Autism Resource Centre……www.actionasd.org.uk He was a lovely boy AND he WILL be sorely missed…

For students on the autism spectrum, there is no question that bullying is a huge concern. Social interactions can be very challenging for autistic individuals and all the more so for children who, as Michael was, are 12 years old — are entering adolescence and the teenage years. Students who are bullied are very likely not to come forward and inform school authorities, their parents and others, for a whole host of reasons including shame and the fear that nobody will believe them. New Jersey (where I live) has passed a very stringent anti-bullying law, in which all members of a school community are required to report instances incidents of bullying, even those that happen outside of school and online.

Some commenters have said that the mention of bullying and the criticism of St. Wilfrid’s is unwarranted.

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126 comments

Please sign the following petition to help advance education in the world, and make school staff/teachers more sensitive to children diagnosed with ADHD ..http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/support-teacher-staff-training-adhd/
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Blame the parents of the bullies. They are raising the bullies and obviously endorsing this behavior. Why is it always blamed on the local authorities? We should all know by know that school authorities have fallen under political sway and are in a damned if you do and damned if you don't situation. If they try to prevent tragedies then the teachers/administrators are deemed as bullies to students, and when they do nothing and a tragedy occurs, then they are at fault. No no no people, it is the parents who are at fault. Take some blame and responsibility yourselves for once and just maybe the world can get a little bit better.

A class in RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY should be taught from Grade one to graduation, children should be taught that anything is permissible as long as it does not hurt themselves or anybody else. Common sense would dictate that if children are taught at a very early age that every child has their own strengths and weaknesses and that they should use their strengths to help not tease or bully others.
Later on Sex Education should be taught from Contraceptives, Masturbation,LGBT and all forms of sex. Let us face it whether we like it or not children are curious and are having sex earlier and earlier. They should be taught the joys and the consequences of having sex ( Pregnancy,STD, AIDS ) But you say when will this be taught. Cut out Geography or History early on then put it back in and remove Geometry and Algebra. They can learn this in college if need be. I believe this is a solution. Nipping it in the Bud so that Bullying, Sexual Assault, and many others will be greatly diminished if not eradicated. It is my belief that when children graduate with these principals where they are taught RESPECT for themselves and others and to take RESPONSIBILITY for their actions. Within a few generations this world would be a much better place to live in.

A class in RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY should be taught from Grade one to graduation, children should be taught that anything is permissible as long as it does not hurt themselves or anybody else. Common sense would dictate that if children are taught at a very early age that every child has their own strengths and weaknesses and that they should use their strengths to help not tease or bully others.
Later on Sex Education should be taught from Contraceptives, Masturbation,LGBT and all forms of sex. Let us face it whether we like it or not children are curious and are having sex earlier and earlier. They should be taught the joys and the consequences of having sex ( Pregnancy,STD, AIDS ) But you say when will this be taught. Cut out Geography or History early on then put it back in and remove Geometry and Algebra. They can learn this in college if need be. I believe this is a solution. Nipping it in the Bud so that Bullying, Sexual Assault, and many others will be greatly diminished if not eradicated. It is my belief that when children graduate with these principals where they are taught RESPECT for themselves and others and to take RESPONSIBILITY for their actions. Within a few generations this world would be a much better place to live in.

A class in RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY should be taught from Grade one to graduation, children should be taught that anything is permissible as long as it does not hurt themselves or anybody else. Common sense would dictate that if children are taught at a very early age that every child has their own strengths and weaknesses and that they should use their strengths to help not tease or bully others.
Later on Sex Education should be taught from Contraceptives, Masturbation,LGBT and all forms of sex. Let us face it whether we like it or not children are curious and are having sex earlier and earlier. They should be taught the joys and the consequences of having sex ( Pregnancy,STD, AIDS ) But you say when will this be taught. Cut out Geography or History early on then put it back in and remove Geometry and Algebra. They can learn this in college if need be. I believe this is a solution. Nipping it in the Bud so that Bullying, Sexual Assault, and many others will be greatly diminished if not eradicated. It is my belief that when children graduate with these principals where they are taught RESPECT for themselves and others and to take RESPONSIBILITY for their actions. Within a few generations this world would be a much better place to live in.

A class in RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY should be taught from Grade one to graduation, children should be taught that anything is permissible as long as it does not hurt themselves or anybody else. Common sense would dictate that if children are taught at a very early age that every child has their own strengths and weaknesses and that they should use their strengths to help not tease or bully others.
Later on Sex Education should be taught from Contraceptives, Masturbation,LGBT and all forms of sex. Let us face it whether we like it or not children are curious and are having sex earlier and earlier. They should be taught the joys and the consequences of having sex ( Pregnancy,STD, AIDS ) But you say when will this be taught. Cut out Geography or History early on then put it back in and remove Geometry and Algebra. They can learn this in college if need be. I believe this is a solution. Nipping it in the Bud so that Bullying, Sexual Assault, and many others will be greatly diminished if not eradicated. It is my belief that when children graduate with these principals where they are taught RESPECT for themselves and others and to take RESPONSIBILITY for their actions. Within a few generations this world would be a much better place to live in.

My heart aches for this boy and his family. I am an adult female who is/has being the target of bullies. I found it extremely difficult to stand up for myself and to ask for help, I can only imagine the torture this poor boy must have endured.